The Nijmegen Marches originated in 1909 with Dutch military efforts to increase the long-distance marching and weight-carrying ability of their infantry soldiers. Throughout the years, it has evolved into an annual international event drawing over 45 000 military and civilian participants from more than 50 nations, as well as over a million spectators.
Over 7600 Canadians died in the nine-month campaign between 1944-1945 to liberate the Netherlands and carry the Second World War to its conclusion—a sacrifice the Dutch have never forgotten. Nijmegen was also the area from which the Canadian Army conducted its operations throughout the last six months of the campaign.
Today, Canadians and the Dutch remember these historic events during the Nijmegen Marches and celebrate the lasting bond that was developed between the two nations during the Second World War.
The Marches
The Nijmegen Marches consist of four days of marching through the countryside and crowded streets of towns and villages in the Nijmegen area. Each military participant marches a total of 160 kilometres while wearing standard combat clothing and carrying a military backpack weighing at least 10 kilograms.
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) participants will be joined on their journey by the following VIPs: Wladyslaw Lizon, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East—Cooksville; Janice Burke, Veterans Affairs Canada Senior Director of Strategic Policy Integration; Scott Clark, Honourary Colonel of 22 Wing/CFB North Bay, and President of Clark Marketing Communications; and Comrades Daniel Demers and Andre Wesseling of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Each day, the CAF contingent will be visited by a Reviewing Officer whose role is to inspect the marchers on parade. This year, the contingent will be reviewed by Brigadier-General Alain Pelletier, the Contingent Commander; Captain (Navy) Randy Caspick, National Military Representative to SHAPE and Formation Commander Europe; Vice-Admiral Robert Davidson, NATO Canadian Military Representative; and His Excellency James Lambert, Canada’s Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Remembrance
During the First and Second World Wars, nearly two million Canadian sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen served at home and abroad. Of these, more than 100,000 died making the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
This year, several Army regiments are sending teams to Nijmegen as part of their centennial celebrations. Le Régiment de Hull, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the Royal Montreal Regiment, and The Royal 22e Regiment celebrate their 100th anniversaries in 2014. En route to Nijmegen, the Canadian contingent will honour the fallen by visiting and holding memorial ceremonies at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Arras, France; the Langemark German War Cemetery in Langemark, Belgium; the Essex Farm Cemetery; and the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium.
Walking the same terrain where many Canadians fell during the Second World War, CAF members will also pay their respects at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, the final resting place of more than 2300 Canadian soldiers and airmen who died fighting to liberate the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945.
Training
Well-prepared for the grueling marches, the Canadian contingent consists of 14 teams of 11 members, and is comprised of both Regular and Reserve Force members of all ranks and occupations from across the country.
Mentally and physically challenging, the Marches require appropriate training and a positive team spirit to ensure success. During the months of training required to be selected for the Canadian contingent deploying to Nijmegen, candidates test their physical and mental stamina by marching an average of 700-1000 kilometres in combat dress with weighted packs.
Teams
The Nijmegen Marches are primarily a team event that fosters the core military values of leadership, teamwork, camaraderie and endurance. Although each individual who successfully completes the Marches receives a medal, the most coveted prize is the team award. The team award is handed to the members of a team who successfully complete the Marches with at least 90 per cent of their members. The training standards and selection criteria for the Canadian contingent are such that every team entered should, barring any unforeseen accidents, qualify for a team award.
This year’s Canadian teams are from:
- Maritime Forces Atlantic, Halifax, Nova Scotia;
- 3 Wing Bagotville, Alouette, Québec;
- 1st Battalion, The Royal 22e Régiment, Valcartier, Québec;
- 2nd and 3rd Battalion, The Royal 22e Régiment, Valcartier/Québec City, Québec;
- 4th and 6th Battalion, The Royal 22e Régiment, Laval/Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec;
- Royal Montreal Regiment, Westmount, Québec;
- Le Régiment de Hull, Gatineau, Québec;
- National Capital Region, Ottawa, Ontario;
- 22 Wing North Bay, Ontario;
- 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta;
- 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Shilo, Manitoba;
- 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta;
- The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Edmonton, Alberta; and
- Maritimes Forces Pacific, Esquimalt, British Columbia.
Each year, several VIPs are invited to join the Canadian contingent with the goal of fostering greater ties between the CAF and key members of the government, public service and Canadian public. Participating in the Nijmegen Marches alongside the CAF provides a unique opportunity to live and work with military members in a challenging environment, and to experience first-hand the camaraderie, esprit de corps and dedication of our military members. The insight VIPs gain from their participation is immeasurable and, to that end, they are largely selected based on the contributions they make to the broader defence community.
Events
Upcoming Nijmegen events include:
- July 12 – The Canadian contingent will visit and hold memorial ceremonies at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Arras, France; the Langemark German War Cemetery in Langemark, Belgium; the Essex Farm Cemetery; and the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium.;
- July 15 – First day of the Nijmegen Marches;
- July 17 – Halfway through this day of marching, the Canadian contingent will pay their respects at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, which is the final resting place of more than 2300 Canadian soldiers and airmen who died fighting to liberate the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945; and
- July 18 – Last day of the Nijmegen Marches. Canadian teams that complete the Nijmegen Marches successfully will receive the Four Day Marches Cross.
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For more information on CAF participation in the Nijmegen Marches, please visit the public Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/JointTaskForceNijmegen
For more information on the Nijmegen Marches, please visit the official website of the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen at www.4daagse.nl/index.php/en.html
